12th December 2025
As 2025 draws to a close, we thank all of our subscribers and supporters for sticking with us on our mission to protect and promote human health by advocating for actions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect our natural environment.
We are one of many organisations calling for action on climate change and health and we have used this newsletter as a place to share updates, campaigns, calls to action, successes, opportunities, events, and resources from across this incredible network of people and groups. Finding our place in the ecosystem, collaborating and supporting each other to succeed, and sharing knowledge and resources, helps to ensure the work we do reaches as many people as possible. And, as you’ll see from the updates below, the work never stops.
We’ll be taking a break for the Christmas and New Year break, returning on 5 January. Wishing you the very best in the weeks ahead and the hope that you find some time to do the things you love.
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News
National Emergency Briefing
On 27 November, a group of leading scientists, including co-Chair of the UK Health Alliance on Climate Change, Hugh Montgomery, warned politicians, businesses, and community leaders of the severe climate-related risks being faced by the UK. Risks across the economy, public health, food systems, and national security were outlined in stark detail at the event in Westminster which was attended by about 1200 senior representatives across multiple sectors and politicians. The individual talks presented at the briefing will be published on the National Emergency Briefing YouTube channel.
UK Government says no new licences for oil and gas exploration
The UK Government recently announced they are ending new oil and gas exploration, making the UK the first major oil and gas producer in the global north to shift away from fossil fuels. This achievement is the result of a sustained, collective effort of many groups who have continued to make the case for change with ending new licencing being a key demand. However, we still await the government’s decision on whether to approve or reject applications to start extraction from the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas fields in the North Sea. Health leaders from UKHACC membership organisations wrote to the government during its consultation on this issue in November, calling on the PM and Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero to reject Rosebank to protect health.
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Have your say
Call for a televised national emergency briefing
On the back of the National Emergency Briefing on 27 November, calls are being made for a national televised emergency briefing to the public. A letter to the Prime Minister and the heads of BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, S4C, and Ofcom says that all public service broadcasters are required to inform the public of major and international issues and that the UK has failed to meet this obligation. It calls for a televised national emergency briefing and public engagement campaign to ensure the risks are well understood. Sign the letter.
F-Gas consultation
The UK is currently consulting on proposed changes to the HFC phasedown in F Gas regulation. The changes proposed would adjust the existing schedule and replace the current 79% reduction by 2030 target with a 98.6% reduction by 2048 target. Anyone with knowledge and expertise in this area can respond to the consultation here. The deadline for responses is 17 December.
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Opportunities/Get involved
Focus group participants wanted: implementing circularity initiatives
Supporting the commitments set out in the Design for Life roadmap to transition away from all avoidance single-use medtech products by 2045, the Greener NHS are running focus groups to understand the barriers and enablers frontline staff face when implementing circularity initiatives in the NHS and social care. Click here to find out more including how to get involved.
2026 European Sustainable Healthcare Awards
Applications are open for the 2026 European Sustainable Healthcare Awards. Organised by Health Care Without Harm Europe, the awards recognise sustainability initiatives and individuals who are helping to reduce the environmental impact of healthcare activities. Submit by 19 January 2026 for a chance to be shortlisted and celebrated at CleanMed Europe 2026. Submit here.
Clean Air Night: Thursday 22 January 2026
Get involved in Clean Air Night and spark the conversation about the health harms of domestic wood burning to ensure everyone has the information they need to protect their health and the environment. Keep up to date with the campaign and find out ways to get involved by signing up to the newsletter , using resources in the comms pack, and checking out the supporters page.
Save the date: Show the Love 14 February 2026
The Climate Coalition’s Show the Love returns on 14 February 2026 – a moment to celebrate the places we live, the people we love, and the progress already happening across our communities, using the green heart as a symbol of care and connection. This year, the focus is on a simple act of care and leadership: sending a green heart to your local politician, telling them what’s at the heart of the future you want to protect. Because at the heart of a healthier, fairer, safer future is climate and nature action. We’ll share everything you need to take part soon; for now please save the date and get ready to join a UK-wide wave of love and action.
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Events and courses
COP30 Rapid Debrief: What COP30 means for public health
12.30-14.00 Monday 15 December 2025 | Online
This rapid COP30 debrief, jointly hosted by the Faculty of Public Health and UK Health Security Agency, will provide a recap of outcomes from COP30 and how outcomes translate to action at a local level across the four nations of the UK. Register here.
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Caring for the future: Integrating LCA and Care Pathways Assessment for the benefit of patients and the planet
9.30, Monday 19 January 2026 | Online
This ATACH technical meeting brings together leading standards and innovative approaches, while introducing pathway-based methods and tools to guide low-carbon, climate-resilient health system planning and motivation. Register here.
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Tackling air pollution: The human and planetary benefits of active travel
18.30-20.00 Tuesday 20 January 2026 | Online
Discover how air pollution impacts both people and the planet, and how active travel can drive healthier lifestyles, cleaner air and lower carbon emissions. This webinar hosted by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow will feature a dynamic panel discussion and live Q&A offering practical, real-world perspectives. Register here.
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Women, nature, and 2030: a transformational global climate solution
18.30-20.00 Tuesday 20 january 2026 | In person and online
Climate change is not gender-neutral – not in its impact on women and girls, nor in the solutions women are leading. This lecture will share new research revealing how women’s leadership is providing new pathways to address the climate crisis. Register here.
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Thriving in an age of disasters: how to build emotional resilience and take action
1.00 6 February 2026 | In person and online
This webinar will explore the emotional dimensions of climate change and the powerful connection between individual wellbeing and collective action. Participants will gain practical tools and resources for cultivating emotional resilience, alongside concrete strategies for taking meaningful, values-aligned action in their communities. Find out more
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CleanMed Europe 2026
23-25 June 2026 | In person and online
Europe’s leading conference on sustainable healthcare will once again bring together everyone committed to building a sustainable and climate-resilient healthcare sector. Organised by Health Care Without Harm Europe, the opening day (23 June) will run in a hybrid format from London during London Climate Action Week, with days 2 and 3 (24-25 June) continuing fully online. Find out more
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Centre for Sustainable Healthcare Courses
Designed for health professionals, educators, and sustainability or estates managers, CSH has a range of courses offering a mix of core concepts, case studies, and the sharing of interdisciplinary perspectives and experiences. Find out more.
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CPDMatch: Climate change education for the healthcare industry
CPDmatch is a not-for-profit website for healthcare professionals, employing organisations and supplier industries to find the educational resources required to deliver net zero sustainable healthcare and become confident in communicating and inspiring others to tackle the triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss. More information is available here
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Resources
UN report: Global Environment Outlook
The seventh edition of the UN’s Global Environment Outlook is a comprehensive assessment involving 287 multi-disciplinary scientists from 82 countries. It says that investing in a stable climate, healthy nature and land, and a pollution-free planet can delivery trillions of dollars each year in additional global GDP, avoid millions of deaths, and lift hundreds of millions of people out of hunger and poverty. Download the report
RCP Green Physicians Toolkit (updated)
The Royal College of Physicians has published an updated Green Physician Toolkit to help doctors embed sustainability into everyday practice. It offers practical, evidence-based guidance – from prescribing low-carbon medicines to reviewing medications during heatwaves – to promote sustainable healthcare and protect patients from climate-related health risks. Explore the toolkit.
Ireland’s healthcare greenhouse gas emissions
The Irish Health Service Executive has published its first comprehensive baseline emissions of scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions across the health system, including a detailed breakdown of current emissions and hotspots across operations and the supply chain, combined with recommendations for improving the quality of the data for future years. The report was supported by publication of a decarbonisation roadmap to transition to net zero by 2050.
Carbon Brief: COP30 report
The COP30: Key outcomes agreed at the UN climate talks in Belem provides an in-depth summary of the key outcomes – both inside and outside the COP.
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Articles, podcasts, videos
We’ve pulled together a list of recent articles, podcasts and videos worth reading, watching, listening and sharing.
- This research published in Pharmaceutical Journal found patients are open to conversations about deprescribing provided the process is collaborative and person centred.
- This article in the New York Times says that many fighting climate change feel they are losing the information wars.
- One year on from the publication of the NHS Design for Life roadmap, about two thirds of the 30 actions have commenced and membership doubled, according to this report.
- This article reports that food and fossil fuel production are causing $5bn of environmental damage an hour and that ending this harm is key to global transformation required before collapse becomes inevitable.
- This blog says the government’s new public participation plan shows they’re serious about better engagement
- The latest edition of Outrage+Optimism podcast asks – 10 years on from Paris, has it changed the world?
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Please share
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If you’ve got information about resources, campaigns, or events you would like to be included in the next edition, please send them to info@ukhealthalliance.org. The next bulletin will be published on Friday 15 January 2026.